Ava Tunney

The Canadian Australian Chamber of Commerce (CACC), in partnership with KPMG Australia, was pleased to host the Hon. Joe Szakacs MP, South Australia’s Minister for Trade and Investment, for an in-depth Boardroom Briefing in Sydney this week. This session marked the second engagement the CACC has facilitated with a South Australian delegation, following our boardroom briefing in Toronto earlier this year, furthering the state’s trajectory as a global destination for clean energy, critical minerals, and advanced industry investment. PICTURED (left to right): Minh Dao (Partner & National Board Member – KPMG Australia), Chris Wood (Executive Director, Invest SA – Department of State Development), Lesley Gillespie (Co-Founder, Bakers Delight), Hon. Joe Szakacs MP, South Australia's Minister for Trade and Investment), Diane Belliveau (Chief Representative, AU & NZ – Export Development Canada), Mike Pyke (Executive Director & Co-Head Equity Advisory, AU & NZ – JLL), Melissa Wharton (CEO – CACC) The boardroom briefing was moderated by Melissa Wharton (CEO – CACC) and the discussion brought together senior leaders across government and industry. CACC Board Directors Mike Pyke (Executive Director & Co-Head Equity Advisory, AU & NZ – JLL), Minh Dao (Partner & National Board Member – KPMG Australia), Diane Belliveau (Chief Representative, AU & NZ, Export Development Canada) and Lesley Gillespie (Co-Founder – Bakers Delight) were in attendance. Also in attendance was David Tsui (Consul & Senior Trade Commissioner – Global Affairs Canada). The South Australian delegation included Chris Wood (Executive Director at Invest SA – Department of State Development), and Stuart Nutting (Regional Director – South Australia at Australian Trade & Investment Commission), who provided additional insights into the State’s evolving trade and investment priorities. PICTURED (left to right): Lesley Gillespie (Co-Founder, Bakers Delight) and Hon. Joe Szakacs MP, South Australia's Minister for Trade and Investment) Throughout the briefing, the delegation...

On 20 October, 2025 the Canadian Australian Chamber of Commerce (CACC) hosted a private cocktail reception in Sydney to welcome the Canadian delegation attending the International Mining and Resources Conference (IMARC). The event convened leaders from government, industry, and investment to advance collaboration across the mining and resources sectors. PICTURED (left to right): Melissa Wharton (CEO - CACC), Joshua Khoddami (Managing Director - Neu Capital), David Tsui (Consul & Senior Trade Commissioner - Global Affairs Canada), Nick Harridge (Partner and Mining & Metals Leader, KPMG Australia), Minh Dao (Partner & National Board Member - KPMG Australia) Hosted by corporate partner KPMG Australia, the evening featured keynote remarks from Nick Harridge, Partner and Mining & Metals Leader at KPMG Australia, and David Tsui, Consul and Senior Trade Commissioner at Global Affairs Canada. Both speakers reaffirmed the deep alignment between Australia and Canada, two of the world’s most trusted, resource-rich, and innovation-driven mining jurisdictions. The reception drew guests from Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Melbourne, Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver, Singapore, and Saskatchewan, creating an energetic and diverse gathering of industry leaders. PICTURED (left to right): Garrett Tone (Executive Director, Life Sciences - Invest Ontario), Melissa Wharton (CEO - CACC), Jan Kwak (Managing Director - Climate Change & Thought Leadership  - Hatch), Sarah Constable (Sales Manager, Corporate - Air Canada), Marlene Woligroski (Global Sales Director - Geoscience) As the global energy transition accelerates, Australia and Canada are uniquely positioned to lead the shift toward resilient, low-carbon supply chains. Canada’s mining sector contributed approximately C$117 billion or about four percent of GDP in 2023 alone. With 34 minerals now designated as critical, Canada is signaling to investors and policymakers the scale of opportunity ahead. Meanwhile, Australia remains a world leader in lithium production, accounting for around 36% of global output in 2024. Despite recent price normalization, Australia’s...

The Canadian Australian Chamber of Commerce (CACC) convened a high-level boardroom briefing in Sydney to advance trade and investment opportunities between Canada and Queensland. Hosted by QIC and moderated by Mel Wharton, CEO of the CACC, the session brought together senior leaders from government, industry, and institutional investment. Guests included The Hon. Ros Bates MP, Queensland’s Minister for Finance, Trade, Employment and Training; Anna Fedeles, General Manager, International Operations, Trade and Investment Queensland (TIQ); and Romila Prasad, Acting Deputy Under Treasurer, Finance and Investment, Queensland Treasury. PICTURED (left to right): Melissa Wharton (CEO - CACC), Ghislain Robichaud (Consul General of Canada in Sydney), The Hon. Ros Bates (Queensland's Minister for Finance, Trade, Employment and Training), Her Excellency Dr. Julie Sunday (High Commissioner for Canada to Australia), Minh Dao (Partner & National Board Member -  KPMG Australia) Her Excellency Dr. Julie Sunday, High Commissioner for Canada to Australia, opened the discussion by underscoring the strong alignment between Canada and Queensland across energy, resources, infrastructure, and innovation. Ghislain Robichaud, Consul General of Canada in Sydney, reaffirmed Canada’s commitment to deepening bilateral engagement and supporting sustainable investment growth in the state. PICTURED (left to right): The Hon. Ros Bates (Queensland's Minister for Finance, Trade, Employment and Training),  Mel Wharton (CEO - CACC) Minister Bates outlined Queensland’s New Energy Roadmap, which is accelerating global investment in hydrogen, critical minerals, and clean technologies—areas where Canadian expertise and capital are already making a tangible impact. With preparations underway for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Queensland’s infrastructure pipeline is expanding rapidly, creating opportunities for Canadian companies in transport, construction, housing, and digital innovation. Queensland’s strong economic fundamentals—valued at approximately A$500 billion with an AA+ credit rating—underscore its appeal to Canadian investors. The state’s advanced trade infrastructure, comprising 21 seaports and six international airports, provides direct access to Asia-Pacific markets and positions Queensland as a key gateway for Canadian...

In late May, the Canadian Australian Chamber of Commerce (CACC) hosted a private boardroom briefing at global law firm, Dentons in Toronto. Amid the challenges facing the Australian and Canadian mining industries, the central theme was how can companies effectively operate in a sector increasingly shaped by opportunities such as higher demand for critical minerals while also navigating geopolitical risks, trade tensions, resource nationalism and shifting regulatory landscapes? PICTURED (left to right): Smita Challu Tulsani (Global MarTech Portfolio Leader - World Vision International), Greg McNab (Partner - Dentons), Michelle Webster (Australia's Consul-General and Trade and Investment Commissioner, Canada), A.J. Nichols (Vice President, Corporate Affairs - North America - BHP) and Melissa Wharton (CEO - CACC) Mel Wharton, CACC CEO kicked off the session by thanking all participants including Michelle Webster, Australian Consul-General and Trade and Investment Commissioner who provided welcome remarks. Greg McNab, Canada Co-chair of Dentons’ Mining Group moderated the discussion, with A.J. Nichols, Vice President of Corporate Affairs for North America at BHP headlining the roundtable discussion with keynote remarks. The Boardroom Briefing was held just weeks after the Canadian and Australian federal elections. In Canada, the Liberal Party was re-elected under new leadership, while in Australia, the Labour Party secured a strengthened majority just five days later. Pictured (left to right): Theresa Sapara (Americas Mining & Metals Centre of Excellence Lead - EY) and Michelle Webster (Australia's Consul-General and Trade and Investment Commissioner, Canada) As expected, the election results prompted the question of ‘what are these governments’ plans for the mining sector and how will they operationalize many of the campaign promises into action?’ In both Canada and Australia, the mining industry is a backbone of their respective economies, and a significant part of their national history and future. Industry and investors  have questions surrounding greater consistency...

The Canadian Australian Chamber of Commerce (CACC) was honoured to host an exclusive reception welcoming Her Excellency Dr. Julie Sunday, the newly appointed High Commissioner for Canada in Australia, during her first official visit to Queensland. The event was hosted by Corporate Partner MinterEllison with welcome remarks by CACC CEO, Melissa Wharton. Host Brendan Clark, is a leading advisor to the energy, resources and infrastructure sectors, with significant major project, M&A, regulatory and commercial transaction experience. As Managing Partner International, he oversees MinterEllison's international markets strategy, its foreign offices and its engagement with foreign firms and networks. PICTURED (left to right): CACC Corporate Members include Denny Surjaatmadja (Principle Trade & Investment Officer, International Market - Trade and Investment Queensland), Stephen Mannix (Managing Director -Loram Pty Ltd), Brendan Clark (Managing Partner, International - MinterEllison), H.E Dr. Julie Sunday (High Commissioner for Canada to Australia), Jessica Simpson (Head of Local and Indigenous Procurement - BHP), Rob Piper (Hatch) and Anthony Cicuttini (SVP and Head of Aviation Business Development - Brisbane Airport Corporation) Despite the uncertainty of the event due to Cyclone Alfred, it turned out to be an incredible evening of insightful discussions, strategic connections, and exciting opportunities for strengthening Canada-Australia trade and investment ties. Dr. Sunday shared her perspectives on the evolving global landscape and the collaborative potential between our two nations, sparking meaningful conversations among senior leaders across industries. Dr. Julie Sunday brings a distinguished career in diplomacy, policy, and global affairs to her new role as High Commissioner for Canada to Australia. With a strong academic foundation in science, geography, and political anthropology, she has dedicated nearly two decades to shaping Canada’s international strategy across multiple sectors. PICTURED (left to right): Nicole Andronicus (General Manager - Brisbane City Council), Julie Sunday (Canada's High Commissioner to Australia), Melissa O'Rourke (Director,...

The Canadian Australian Chamber of Commerce hosted a private boardroom briefing at PwC’s Sydney office regarding Canada and Australia’s unique challenges and opportunities in the energy sector. This discussion featured international guest speaker Rick Christiaanse, Chief Executive Officer from the Invest Alberta Corporation. Welcome remarks were presented my Mike McGrath, President of the Canadian Australian Chamber of Commerce and Managing Partner of Global Advisory at PwC. The discussion was moderated by Jon Chadwick, the Global Energy Transition Lead at PwC. Other guests included Jack Cowin, Patron of the CACC and Chairman of Competitive Foods as well as Mark Schaan, Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet, Artificial Intelligence - Privy Council Office. PICTURED (left to right): Mike McGrath (Managing Partner, Global Advisory Finance & Investments Leader - PwC), Jack Cowin (Patron - CACC), Jon Chadwick (Global Energy Transition Lead - PwC), Melissa Wharton (CEO - CACC), Mark Schaan (Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet, Artificial Intelligence - Privy Council Office) and Rick Christiaanse (CEO - Invest Alberta Corporation) This event focused on key themes such as harnessing data to enhance energy security, leveraging renewable resources and ensuring a secure energy transition in the face of climate change. Trusted advisors from both countries discussed collaborative strategies, shared technological advancements, and explored policy frameworks essential for achieving a resilient and green energy future. FEATURED PICTURE (left to right): Andrew Lorking (Senior Regional Manager, APAC - Export Development Canada), Mike McGrath (Managing Partner, Global Advisory Finance & Investments Leader - PwC), Mark Schaan (Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet, Artificial Intelligence - Privy Council Office) By fostering open dialogue and collaboration, this discussion aimed to strengthen the energy partnership between Canada and Australia. We hope that the insights shared will serve as a catalyst for deeper cooperation, driving innovation and investment in sustainable energy solutions. PICTURED (left...